Marcon Fit-Out builds new McDonald’s restaurant in Belfast

Marcon Fit-Out is putting the finishing touches to a major new McDonald’s restaurant in Belfast.

The building at Boucher Road is the global restaurant chain’s first new build restaurant in Northern Ireland since 2001.

We are currently completing works to the new build project, at what will be the 27th McDonald’s restaurant in Northern Ireland.

The 84-seater restaurant featuring a two-lane drive-thru is due to open on 19th August. It will employ 120, including 80 new staff.

Marcon has undertaken more than 200 jobs for McDonald’s in recent years across Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north of England, including reimages, extensions, refurbishments and installing dual drive-thru lanes.

But the £2 million project to create the building in Belfast represents Marcon’s largest contract win from the world’s biggest restaurant chain to date – and its first full new build restaurant for McDonald’s. Marcon began work on the 27-week build programme at the start of February.

Company director Mark O’Connor said: “The fact that McDonald’s have entrusted us with this project reflects what we have done in the past. I am confident this project will lead to many more opportunities for us in the future.

“There are plans for other new builds in Northern Ireland over the next five years, as well as numerous projects across the UK, and this demonstrates our capabilities.”

McDonald’s franchisee Paul Connan, who will operate Boucher Road, said: “We wanted a Northern Ireland company to do the work on this project. Marcon always do a quality job.”

And Mr Connan, who runs five other McDonald’s restaurants across Northern Ireland, added: “I am delighted with Marcon’s work at Boucher Road.”

Marcon said around 200 people have been employed during the construction phase of the project. And Marcon, which employs 38 people, has mainly used local sub-contractors during the build programme.

Located close to Broadway Roundabout at the end of the Westlink and the start of the M1 motorway, the traditional build structure is the first of a new breed of McDonald’s restaurant in Northern Ireland with its fresh, modern design.

Marcon, which is preparing to mark its 10th anniversary, was named as “UK Contractor of the Year” by McDonald’s last year. Its work with McDonald’s has led to the creation of five new jobs.

Company director Mark O’Connor further explained: “McDonald’s has shown great commitment to us. We have McDonald’s work on our books up until 2018.”

The company is manufacturing bespoke items for the new Belfast restaurant at its workshop in Antrim.

Mr O’Connor explained: “By manufacturing the specialist joinery ourselves we can control the quality of the furniture. The new restaurant features counters, tables, panelling, vanity units and partitions which have been made in Antrim.”

The building at Boucher Road will also be the most ‘green’ McDonald’s restaurant in Northern Ireland. Features include solar panels, low voltage lighting, waterless urinals and an environmentally friendly air conditioning system.

There are currently 1,300 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK which serve approximately three million people every day.

Image Caption above : Mark O’Connor, Director, Marcon and Paul Connan, McDonald’s Franchisee inspect progress on site at the new McDonald’s Boucher Road which is on schedule to open on 19th August.